The Forrest City times., 1887-10-22

cis county, State of Arkansas:
 DEAR SIR: We, the grand jury oi said county, for said term of the cir cult court, would most rcspeetfullJ submit the following report tO-wIt. We have visited and carefully exam ined the county jail. and found it in d reasonably safe condition. We found only one prisoner incarcerated. one { Robert Riley, colored, charged witl forgery, having been confined in said jail some five and one half months Upon interrogatories. he stated that he preferred to make DO statement of his treatment to us, for fear the jaileI would wreak vengeance upon him in the future. Upon assurance from us of protection, he stated that he had been very unkindly treated by the jailer; was iusufliciemtly fed; received a fresh supply of water only twice a week; that his cell was relieved of the accumulations of nature only twice a week; that his life was threatened by the jailer on two occasions; his com plaints to the jailer were continually ignored, and frequently invited very harsh replies. From personal obSerya- tion we believe the above quoted state ments of Robert Riley are true. and would respectfully recommend the re- moyal of the present jaller. While the custody and care of the prisoners de- volye upon the sheriff of the county, who IS personally responsible for their Ill treatment. we take this method and opportunity for eXonerating him from all blame in the premises, he having been confined to his bed on account of illness for several months past.
 We have examined the transcripts of magistrates dockets. and find that all the magistrates have compiled with the requirements of the law.
 We have had 59 subpPnaed as wit nesses, and have found D indictments under the following charges:
 Attempt to poison n...-.................1 I Assault and battery. y..................l ATsVn ........... ......,.... ....... Abusive language. a................... 5 Breach Of the peace. e..................2 2 Carrying pistols. s.................... s Disturbing congregation. n............ ? E0I5eIy .'....#.=........,... 7 Failure to work the road. 2S t'intti7 .-,..' ''...... .@ Running horses on public highway. 1 Sabbath breaking .................6 6
 From above statement your honor will perceive that no indictments were found for viola tion of the whisky laws. We beg leave to state Ill that connec- tiun that 1t has not been for want of inquisitorial feryOr on the part of your grand jury, nor do we wish our failure to find indictments for such violations to be construed as prima facia evi- dence that the evil monster, alcohol, has no abiding place within the limits Of this county; on the contrary we fiud him numerously represented, and the express companies q convenient agency to supply the demand. We would also beg to state that ill order to secure to the people the practical bene- fits of the three-mile law, the blind tiger" act, and other prohibition legis- latIon, It will be necessary to restrict and restrain express companies from delivering packages containing intoxi- eating beverages. We would. be pleased to recommend that our legisla- tive representatives use their influence in obtaining such restraining legisla- tion, believing that crime will be ma- terially lessened thereby.
 We have not been spared the siege of the voluntary witness who seeks personal redress through the instru- mentality of the grand jury, and, con sequently, at the expense of the county, against some neighbor for whom he harbOrs only unkindness being actu- ated by petty envy, spite, malice or prejudice, and demand, with a flourish of trumpets, that would do credit to the angel Gabriel on the resurrection morn, that the majesty of the law shall be vindicated, and it's most dire full behests visited upon the heads of those who, in their sight, represent the incarnation of lawlessaess. To all such self constituted conservitOrs of the peace, we would most sancti- moniously refer to the injunction of the Master, "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them"-Matthew llth chapter, I2th verse
 We have scrupulously avoided find ing indictments for petty oifenses of a personal nature not involving the peace and dignity of tine State of Ar kansas.
 We find the roads and bridges in most excellent condition, no com plaints being entered from any section of the county in regard to unsatisfac- tory roads, or inefficient or unsafe bridges. We commend the county court for its wise, vigilant and efficient policy in maintaining the public high ways in that high degree of efficiency; in fact, we feel warranted in stating that the public highways of the county have never been in as good condition for long period of years.
 The commissioners of accounts, hav- ing thoroughly investigated the books and accounts of all county officials, and inasmuch as the grand jury of the April term of the present year passed judgment on said report of the com missioners of accounts, we deemed it unnecessary to again investigate said books and accounts.
 We would also beg leave to report that the impanelling of the grand jury sounded the toeSin for a whole sale exodus from the county of it's citizens to parts unknown to the sher- iff and his deputies, where they could enjoy the sweet communion of a re- buking conscience without being mo- tested or made afraid. At this term Of the court, however, either believing in the ineflieiency of your grand jury to ferret out their crimes, or, fortified by conscience void of offense, they have dared to remain at home, pursu- ing the daily avOcations of their lives.
 We are inclined to the latter reason assigned, namely, that they were forti- 1 fled by a conscience void of offense as the true reason for their remaining ai [ home.
 1 We observed moral and intellectual 1 improvement in our citizens, a grow. l ing disposition to respect the law, con. | form to it's requirements, rise in the
 scale of intelligence and observe g
 higher standard of moral law.
 Our sessions have been harmonious
 throughout, and, with but few excep
 tions, unanimous in all cases presented for our consideration. We have beer
 in session eight days having been i'm
 panelled the second day of the term. Extending the usual compliment: for eourtesieS received from the sher if. his deputies, the prosecuting attor
 ney and the court, we remain,
 Very respectfully,